Question 91 · Federal question
In Germany, a change of government in a federal state can have an impact on federal…
German original (as asked in the real test)
In Deutschland kann ein Regierungswechsel in einem Bundesland Auswirkungen auf die Bundespolitik haben. Das Regieren wird …
- A schwieriger, wenn sich dadurch die Mehrheit im Bundestag ändert.
- B leichter, wenn dadurch neue Parteien in den Bundesrat kommen.
- C schwieriger, wenn dadurch die Mehrheit im Bundesrat verändert wird. ✓ Correct answer
- D leichter, wenn es sich um ein reiches Bundesland handelt.
Translation
In Germany, a change of government in a federal state can have an impact on federal politics. Governing becomes...
- A more difficult if this changes the majority in the Bundestag.
- B easier if this brings new parties into the Bundesrat.
- C more difficult if this changes the majority in the Bundesrat. ✓ Correct answer
- D easier if it is a wealthy federal state.
Explanation
State governments send representatives to the Bundesrat. A change in a state government can shift the majority in the Bundesrat, and many federal laws require Bundesrat approval. If the federal government loses a cooperative majority there, passing legislation becomes harder. State elections do not change the Bundestag majority.
Tips
- Identify whether the question concerns the Bundesrat (states’ chamber) or the Bundestag (federal parliament). State elections affect the Bundesrat, not the Bundestag.
- Look for clues like “Länder,” “Bundesrat,” or “approval” indicating impact on federal legislation requiring consent.
- Eliminate options that rely on factors like a state’s wealth or mere party diversity; focus on majority shifts in the Bundesrat.
- Recall that many federal laws are Zustimmungspflichtig (require Bundesrat approval); losing that majority complicates governing.
Practice in the app
